The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-21
YESTERDAYS SECOND EDITION.
THE following items of news appeared in our
Second Edition of Sunday:l
The nIissouri's Raging Torrent.

BISMARCK, D. T., March. 19-The gorge at
Sibley island is still intact. despite the dyna-
mite. The scene here to-day is a dreary one
The river is still over six miles in width and the
gorge at Sibey island liz holding the water to the
highest mark. All Of last night swinging light
was seen in the woods and several vain attempts
were made to send a rescuing party thither; the
light was signal of distress from settler, who,
it is learned this morning by looking through
field glass, has been the top OF his house since
the rising of the waters. swinging lantern IN
tae hope of calling and securing help His house
is completely surrounded by water. is two miles
from the shore of the main stream. and Is al
most afioat. Two rescuing parties were sent out
this morning and have found several families on
the roofs OF their houses. Field glasses are be-
ing used with good results. as numerous settlers
have been discovered some of them perched on
the trees and others on floating timbers.
To-day snow-storm prevails The current
over the new made channel is running over ten
miles per hour and the drift ice shoots along at
a terrific speed. A large bear was seen on cake
of ice this morning The city of Mandan is
completely inundated and the water is running
through the streets as if in a mill race. The
situation at the river landing here is unchanged
The water is still running through the boarding
houses and the river residences up to the second
story. The worst is coming. The great rise at
Fort Bnford is now over half way here, and will
reach this point some time tonight. This will
make the highest water ever known in these
parts. and unless the gorgs breaks at Sibley
humiliation. Littleheart river flows into the
Missouri just below Mandan, and should the ice
in this stream break to-day or before the Buford
rise arrives the entire surplus water Of the flood
will be backed into Mandan. The high trestle OF
the Northern Pacific railroad is wrecked, and
Bismarck is the terminus of the Northern Ia.
ci6c Yesterday passenger train, with its load
of people bound for the Pacific coast and inter
mediate points, lay the side track here all
night, aud will not be able to leave for several
days.
Renewed efforts to break the gorge at Sibley
will be made but it will be waste of dynamite.
The gorge consists of six miles OF solid ice
wedged into the bottom of the river and piled to
a height of thirty feet All the mail routes are
blocked To show with what rapidity the small
streams rise, it may be stated that a stage
crossed the neck of Apple creek, and, after 60
ing quarter of mile. the driver discovered
that he could not 60 any further. He then re
| turned, and the neck of water which, five min
utes before. was about six inches deep, had
swollen to flowing river and he was compelled
to drive half q mile to get round. Apple creek,
which Is usually about fifteen feet wide. is now
over a mile and half wide, and the high fences
| are entirely out of sight The snow-storm has
been transformed into a binding blizzard and
it is feared that rescuing parties will be lost
They are out in small yawls, and with the blind
| ing storm and current of ten miles an hour
will be unable to guide their craft or keep theil
bearings.